Five former WWE ring boys have filed a lawsuit accusing Vince McMahon, his wife Linda McMahon, and the WWE of being aware of sexual abuse by a former ring crew chief and failing to stop it. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in Baltimore County, sheds light on decades-old allegations of exploitation within the wrestling industry.
The lawsuit centers around Melvin Phillips Jr., a former WWE ring crew chief, who allegedly hired boys, some as young as 12, to help set up WWE events in the 1980s. According to the suit, Phillips groomed and sexually abused the boys, exploiting their vulnerable situations. The claims go back several decades, though Phillips, who died in 2012, is not listed as a defendant due to his passing.
For those seeking trusted reviews on Irish casinos and betting sites, including insights into industry practices, you can visit at Sportego for expert evaluations and recommendations.
Vince McMahon, co-founder of WWE, and his wife Linda, along with WWE and its parent company TKO Holdings, are named as defendants in the case. They are accused of allowing a culture of abuse to flourish, particularly toward the young boys who were recruited from troubled backgrounds.
Mark DiCello, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, delivered a powerful statement, accusing the McMahons and WWE of failing to protect the victims. “The WWE and the McMahons had a duty to safeguard these underaged boys, and they failed them in the most egregious way possible,” he said. “We are determined to uncover the truth behind this systematic and destructive abuse.”
One of the key points of the lawsuit is that Phillips was fired by Vince McMahon in 1988following accusations of misconduct. However, just six weeks later, McMahon rehired Phillips under the condition that he stay away from children. According to the plaintiffs, Phillips did not follow these terms, and the abuse continued.
The lawsuit alleges that Phillips manipulated the boys with promises of meeting famous wrestlers and attending WWE events, experiences that were otherwise beyond their reach. The abuse reportedly took place at WWE events, hotels, and even in Phillips’ dressing room, where he filmed the assaults.
The allegations first surfaced publicly in 1992, when Miami Herald reporter Alex Marvez exposed the scandal. The FBI conducted an investigation but, despite identifying at least 10 victims, no criminal charges were filed. The current lawsuit seeks justice for the survivors, who feel that justice was never served.
The five plaintiffs, from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida, are listed as John Does in the lawsuit. They claim that they only recently became aware of Vince McMahon’s alleged role in the abuse after learning about another lawsuit from a former WWE employee, Janel Grant. Grant’s lawsuit accuses Vince McMahon and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis of sexual assault and human trafficking.
Ann Callis, one of Grant’s attorneys, expressed her concern over the new allegations. “These claims are deeply disturbing,” she said. “WWE’s culture of abuse and exploitation must be brought to light, and survivors like Janel Grant and others deserve their day in court.”
Vince McMahon, who stepped down as WWE’s executive chairman in January following several sexual misconduct allegations, denies the claims made by Janel Grant and others. In a statement, he reiterated his position, saying, “I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is filled with lies and fabrications. These claims are a malicious distortion of the truth.”
Greg Gutzler, the lead attorney in Wednesday’s case, said it was appalling that so many people allegedly knew about the abuse but did nothing. “It is simply unconscionable that those in positions of power chose to ignore the abuse of these young boys,” he said. “Thanks to the courage of our clients, we now have the opportunity to hold accountable those who turned a blind eye to these heinous acts.”
The lawsuit marks a significant moment for the survivors, who have waited decades for their voices to be heard. With more lawsuits potentially on the horizon, the scandal surrounding WWE’s dark past shows no signs of fading soon.
